Episode 8

Rafasya withdrew his hand and stepped out of the room.

Evelin caught sight of Grizelda being escorted by a man, a frown etched on her face.

"Who's that with Grizelda?" Evelin inquired.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's Rafasya. We crossed paths earlier on the way in," Aza replied.

"Who is this Rafasya?" Evelin asked, curiosity piqued.

"Don't tell me you don't know? He pops up on TV now and then. He’s the heir to the renowned PT RFS corporation. But what’s he doing with your sister?" Aza asked, puzzled.

"Don't say she's my sister! I truly cannot stand the thought of being related to someone like her!" Evelin responded sharply.

Outside the karaoke venue, Rafasya let go of Grizelda's hand.

He stood in front of her, scrutinizing her from head to toe with a furrowed brow.

"Why doesn’t your face match your body?" he questioned.

"Hey! What do you mean by that?" Grizelda demanded.

"Your cheeks aren’t that plump, but your body is?" Rafasya probed further.

"What is it to you?" Grizelda pouted, crossing her arms.

"The bottom line is, I've helped you, and you've helped me; we’re even," Rafasya stated.

"Hey! You only helped me a little, but you've caused me a huge problem, you know!" Grizelda retorted angrily.

"What kind of huge problem?" Rafasya asked, genuinely intrigued.

"That girl you were arguing with earlier is in my senior class, and she’ll surely want revenge on me. So, how do you plan to take responsibility for this mess?" Grizelda turned away.

"Responsibility? I'll think about it later. Bye," the man said, leaving Grizelda behind, which only increased her frustration.

"What in the world! Today is just one unlucky day," Grizelda exclaimed.

She then headed home, while Evelin continued to revel with her friends.

***

The following morning was business as usual. Grizelda prepared for school early, while Evelin still lay asleep.

"Where's Evelin?" her father inquired, noticing Evelin's absence at the breakfast table.

"She's unwell, my love, probably won’t make it to school today," Eve replied.

"Is that so? Well, advise her to rest. Or should we take her to the hospital?" Surya offered.

"Hm... no need, darling. She’ll recover soon enough, it’s just a stomachache," Eve assured him.

"Of course she has a stomachache; I detected a strong scent of alcohol on her when she came home last night," Grizelda interjected as she devoured her breakfast bread.

Eve glared daggers at Grizelda.

"Evelin wouldn't do such a thing," Surya said, frowning.

"If Father doesn’t believe it, he could go check and smell her breath for himself," Grizelda suggested.

Eve was livid and wanted to silence Grizelda immediately but refrained because of Surya's presence.

‘You impertinent child, just you wait!’ Eve seethed internally.

Surya gave Eve a look and proceeded to Evelin's room.

"Don't, my love. She's sick. Let's not disturb her," Eve tried to stop him. But Surya had already entered Evelin's room.

He approached the still-sleeping Evelin, took a whiff, and indeed, the smell of alcohol was unmistakable.

Yet Surya said nothing; he seemed embarrassed and left Evelin's room without reprimanding her. He walked back to the dining table, grabbed his bag, and left for work.

Grizelda narrowed her eyes as she watched Surya leave without a word.

‘Surya, Surya, you have been so blinded by love for your wife that you allow the wrongs to slide and even prefer your stepdaughter to your own flesh and blood. But is it even permissible for me not to acknowledge you? I even doubt whether I am really your child or not?’ Grizelda pondered.

Surya entered his car and drove away from home. On the dining table, half a piece of bread lay uneaten — perhaps Surya had wanted to express anger, but he couldn't let it out, afraid of upsetting his wife whom he adored greatly.

"Utterly infuriating," Grizelda muttered sulkily and set off for school.

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